Back in Michael Jordan's day, NBA players, especially those from glamorous, big-city franchises, impressed each other by wearing expensive suits to and from games. Football, baseball and hockey players did the same.

Now, many have turned to a new standard to catch the eye — the throwback jersey.

"It went from everybody wearing suits to games to wearing retro jerseys to games," says Utah Jazz rookie Mo Williams. "You look at all the teams. It's a jersey thing right now."

Williams' collection numbers more than 20, but he is quick to say, "I don't have as much as DeShawn," deferring to teammate DeShawn Stevenson, who long ago stopped counting his jerseys. He admitted to having spent more than $100,000 on them as of last February, when they were going for $400-plus.

Now, a number of top-line jerseys in the four major American sports can be had for a mere $250-$350.

The rather amazing thing is, people pay these big bucks for shirts that aren't original-issue. "They're authentic," says Stevenson, meaning that they're licensed by the league and the player involved. "They're not worn by the player, but they are authentic. They're made now — much bigger. They're made to fit people now."

In fact, they're not even made by the original manufacturer. The most prized retros are made by Mitchell and Ness of Philadelphia, which makes an old Adrian Dantley green Jazz road shirt and a Pete Maravich New Orleans Jazz shirt. Utah's old uniforms were made by Starter, then by Champion. Team owner Larry H. Miller has most old Jazz stuff warehoused away, except for the few Karl Malone gave away and the set that was once stolen from a trainer's car.

Doesn't matter. What's hot now is made now.

The major sports leagues have caught the trend, seeing big dollars in merchandising and having their teams wear old-style uniforms to promote it.

The Jazz join in starting Jan. 15 when they celebrate their 25th anniversary in Utah by wearing 1979-80-style home white uniforms with the Mardi Gras-colors gold, green and purple Jazz note and trim, manufactured by Reebok. They'll wear throwbacks at least five times, including once on the road, said senior vice president of sales and marketing Jay Francis.

It's part of the NBA's "Hardwood Classics" promotion that began last season; replicas will be available for purchase starting around Jan. 1.

Jazz players are pumped about it, even those who don't purchase retro, like Andrei Kirilenko. "I like that. It will be fine. Trying to feel like the old generation," he says. "I like it. I don't think it's silly," Kirilenko added of the vintage trend. "It's a good idea. New generation. I like something new every time."